NURSES! Please Comment...

[payne_n_diaz]

Emily has been tugging at her ear and I think she has an ear infection. I know that nowadays, Doctors don't like prescribing antibiotics for ear infections. What would you recommend to ease the discomfort?

Comments

[aspiring2live.livejournal.com]

Tylenol or Motrin, especially Motrin (Advil, ibuprofen) for its anti-inflammatory properties. And try a very warm, moist wash cloth laid over the ear for a few minutes.

The latter is a best guess only, as antibiotics were still a common practice when my boys were that small. I know my wife has used that to relieve her own ear aches.

Hope this helps

[mcbarnes1970.livejournal.com]

Thanks Bruce, I appreciate the help! :)

[carriep63.livejournal.com]

Not a nurse, but a parent here (sometimes it feels like one in the same). In my experience, antibiotics do clear up ear infections quickly. My pediatrician did not hesitate to prescribe them when necessary. There is always the worry that children will build an immunity to antibotics if they are used often, but if she doesn't get infections regularly I think it's the best course. My children both took well to Motrin for pain. Tylenol did not seem to work as well in my opinion.

[minxy-baby.livejournal.com]

This has always worked for me, since I was a little kid to now. Warm up some cooking oil and pour a teaspoon in the ear. It sounds weird, but you get instant relief.

[cheriphin.livejournal.com]

I was going to say this same thing but add a little garlic to it, to battle the infection. I have used this herbal remedy on Kenneth's infections in the past, it from a company called Gais Children its called ear relief or something like that.

[metaphorsbwithu.livejournal.com]

I never prescribe so you may want to look up on the web and draw your own conclusions. It is the old-fashioned "remedy."

Equal parts of warm "olive oil," apple cidar vinegar, and alcohol. You may omit the alcohol if it is too sensitive. Vinegar is a natural antibiotic.
I have only had an ear infection once as an adult and the antibiotic drops and pills my doctor prescribed were almost immediately effective, so I don't know what is up with that. Also, trying to keep the ear canal dry may prevent infections in the future. I'll leave it to you to figure out how.

I am NOT in the medical field!